Anode-free lithium (Li) batteries that function via direct Li plating/stripping on metal current collectors have garnered significant interest in the field of metallic Li as an ideal negative electrode. However, dendritic Li growth creates unoccupied space in the battery, diminishing volumetric energy density. Our research reveals that Li adatoms can reposition on metal substrates via surface migration by interacting with individual grains at the atomic level after electro-adsorption of Li ions. By examining Li morphologies on diverse types of substrates, we find that the near-zero migration barrier of Li adatoms, especially on single crystal Cu(111) foils, is a key parameter that inhibits Li dendrites by initiating horizontal growth in an isotropically faceted nucleation shape, with 80% capacity retention even after 120 cycles (versus 29 cycles for polycrystalline Cu), paired with LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ (NCM811) cathodes with a high-loading level (5.3 mA h cm⁻²). Based on our findings, we highlight the importance of metal substrates that promote favorable surface dynamics of Li adatoms.

中文翻译：

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单晶 Cu(111) 箔表面动力学驱动的水平锂生长


通过在金属集流体上直接镀锂/剥离锂来发挥作用的无阳极锂（Li）电池作为理想的负极，在金属锂领域引起了人们的极大兴趣。然而，枝晶锂的生长会在电池中产生未占据的空间，从而降低体积能量密度。我们的研究表明，电吸附锂离子后，锂吸附原子可以在原子水平上与单个晶粒相互作用，通过表面迁移重新定位在金属基底上。通过检查不同类型基底上的锂形态，我们发现锂吸附原子的近零迁移势垒，特别是在单晶 Cu(111) 箔上，是通过在各向同性面成核中引发水平生长来抑制锂枝晶的关键参数与 LiNi _0.8 Co _0.1 Mn _0.1 O ₂ (NCM811) 阴极具有高负载水平（5.3 mA h cm ⁻² ）。根据我们的发现，我们强调了金属基底对于促进锂吸附原子有利的表面动力学的重要性。